Two groups mapping plans for the future of downtown say they want to preserve the district's historic flavor. That sentiment already has been reflected in the recent plan to relocate and save the Gunn House, above, a Queen Anne Victorian that could have faced the wrecker's ball.

RBA will be paid $139,000 for conducting phase two of the downtown study, which includes review of how a $500,000 state grant will be used to upgrade sidewalks, curbing and lighting, said Dewey Loselle, Downtown Steering Committee chairman.

Phase one of the downtown plan, which included studies of traffic and parking in the central area, has been completed and those findings will be presented at a March 6 meeting, said Loselle, who added the scope of that study had been expanded beyond downtown to about 20 different locations in the town, including the entire stretch of the Post Road.

While the RBA group, in phase two, will be considering the technical aspects of the downtown plan, the Cecil Group's survey will focus on the historic aspects, said Francis Henkels, chairman of the Village District Steering Committee and also chairman of the Historic District Commission. That consulting group will be paid $50,000 from a Connecticut Trust grant to do its study.

He said the Village District study is designed to help keep the "historic texture and fabric" downtown.

Loselle and Henkels both said they plan to respect Westport's small town heritage. "That's part of the charge," Loselle said.

"Our goal is to have a consistent look and feel downtown," he added.

Selectman Helen Garten asked if there is an area of conflict between the two committees, how would it be resolved.

Henkels, who is a member of both committees, said "if it can't be resolved we would defer to Planning and Zoning."

But Loselle said he doesn't foresee "any turf issues."

Loselle said the final report on phase two should be completed by the end of August, adding it won't just be "a plan, but a guideline."

Selectman Avi Kaner said he liked the fact that RBA's study would be "an implementation plan" and won't be something that will "go on the shelf with the other 20 plans" in the first selectman's office that were done, but never implemented.

Loselle agreed. "We can chew off a piece at a time and say, `Here's our wish list of things to do,' " he said.

Loselle said the final, second phase of the report from RBA should be completed by the end of August.